Background

Formed from the ashes of Emperor, Zyklon released their debut World ov Worms in 2001 to worldwide critical acclaim. The Norwegian band, featuring guitarist Destructhor and bassist/vocalist Secthdamon (also of Myrkskog), with drummer Trym and guitarist Samoth, participated on the successful "Extreme Music for Extreme People" US tour featuring Morbid Angel, Deicide, Soilent Green and Exhumed. In early 2002, the band began work on their second album, Aeon. Since its late 2003 release, the album has received overwhelming support from Terrorizer, Metal Maniacs, Brave Words Bloody Knuckles, Kerrang, Unrestrained and countless others.

Zyklon have been confirmed for this year's Hammerslag Festival, which will take place in Tønsberg, Norway on December 15 and 16. Other confirmed bands include Framferd and Cutthroat. More bands will be confirmed prior to the festival date.

ZYKLON, the Norwegian band featuring EMPEROR members Samoth (guitar) and Trym (drums), Have uploaded the title track of their much-anticipated third album, entitled "Disintegrate", at their Myspace page. The CD was recorded at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio in Norway and was mixed at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden. A May 15 release via Candlelight Records is expected.

Samoth had the following to say about the upcoming CD: "It might not be all that different [to the previous albums], but we have overall better songs, and it's definitely going to be a solid follow-up to 'Aeon'. There are a few songs that are more on the atmospheric side, and these will have strong industrial elements to them. In general, there will be the good old mix between fast, intense brutality and more groovy and heavy stuff. A few songs might have a few more melodic parts as well, actually."

So far, the following ten track titles are confirmed to appear on the CD: "Wrenched", "Cold Grave", "Disintegrate", "In Hindsight", "Skinned and Endangered", "Vulture", "Subversive Faith", "Underdog", "Ways of the World", and "Vile Ritual".

"Hard to pick a favorite at this point, I think," Samoth tells Decibel Magazine. "Everything sounds kind of refreshing now. But what I enjoyed the most playing in the studio is probably the mid-paced, heavy and 'chuggy' material. There are also a couple of tracks that are blasting fast. Some of the material is actually very fresh; one song was even just completed on the last rehearsal before the studio session, and we've only actually played the song four times or so as a full band. We started to write and rehearse material back in 2004, but it wasn't really until this autumn that we put the final pieces together. We've taken our time with this one, but I'm confident it will be worth the wait!"

ZYKLON's first DVD, titled "Storm Detonation Live", was released March 13. Recorded at Germany's 2004 Party.San Open Air festival, the DVD contains the band's live show plus exclusive on-the-road/backstage footage, an exclusive look into reheasals for the band's new album and both the "Psyklon Aeon" and "Core Solution" videos.

Norwegian metallers Zyklon entered Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden, earlier this week to finish mixing the band's forthcoming album, Disintegrate. The album was recorded at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio in Norway. The disc will surface May 16 and feature at least the following confirmed tracks "Wrenched", "Cold Grave", "Disintegrate", "In Hindsight", "Skinned and Endangered", "Vulture", "Subversive Faith", "Underdog", "Ways of the World", and "Vile Ritual". On March 14 the band will release its first-ever live DVD, "Storm Detonation Live."

ZYKLON, the Norwegian band featuring EMPEROR members Samoth (guitar) and Trym (drums), have begun recording their third album, tentatively titled "Disintegrate". The album is being recorded at Akkerhaugen Lydstudio in Norway with time already set at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden for the album's mix in early February. The band have confirmed nine song titles for the album, including "Wrenched", "Cold Grave", "Disintegrate", "In Hindsight", "Skinned and Endangered", "Vulture", "Subversive Faith", "Underdog", "Ways of the World", and "Vile Ritual".

As recording starts the band are also hard at work with final edits on their planned first DVD, titled "Storm Detonation Live". Recorded at Germany's 2004 Party.San Open Air festival, the DVD will contain the band's live show plus exclusive on-the-road/backstage footage, an exclusive look into reheasals for the band's new album and both "Psyklon Aeon" and "Core Solution" videos. More...

Norwegians Zyklon are to start work on their third album in November. To be titled 'Disintegrate', it's to be recorded at Akkerhaugen Ly dstudio in Norway, and released by Candlelight early next year. The band are also to shortly issue a live DVD called 'Storm Detonation Live'. This was filmed at the Party San Festival in Germany last year.

ZYKLON, the Norwegian band featuring former EMPEROR members Samoth (guitar) and Trym (drums), are continuing work on the songs for their third album, "Disintegrate", and will record "as soon as the band feels that the material is ready and perfect," according to the group's label, Candlelight Records. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Disintegrate", "Vile Ritual", "In Hindsight", "Subversive Faith", "Vulture" and "Wrenched".

The new material is said to follow more or less in the same footsteps as the critically acclaimed "Aeon" (2003), only more aggressive and intense.

ZYKLON have been confirmed for the Rockwave Festival on July 9 in Athens, Greece. Also scheduled to perform at the festival are SLAYER, TWISTED SISTER, ACCEPT, DIO, ANTHRAX and DISMEMBER, among others.

Norway’s ZYKLON, featuring ex-EMPEROR guitarist Samoth, have announced that their forthcoming new album, due out sometime this year through Candlelight Records, has the tentative title "Disintegrate".

Songs to be featured among the album’s tracklisting include: ‘Disintegrate’, ‘Vulture’, ‘Vile Ritual’, ‘The Four Corners’ and ‘Scum’.

In other news, Zyklon have completed work on their new video, for the track ‘Core Solution’. It will be available soon online. The band are also planning to release a full length DVD, details as they become available.

In live news, Zyklon were recently added to the bill for this year’s Wacken Open Air Festival, scheduled to take place August 4th - 6th in Wacken, Germany.

Danish metallers Mercernary are the latest act confirmed for the Aalborg Metal Festival 2004, a two-day event set to take place November 5-6 at Studenterhuset in Aalborg, Denmark. Also scheduled to perform at the festival are Mnemic, 1349, Withering Surface, The Defaced, Illdisposed, Scarve, Heaven Shall Burn, Zyklon, Darkane and Downset, among others.

Mercenary's third full-length album, "11 Dreams," was released in August through Century Media Records. The CD was produced by Jacob Hansen (Hatesphere, Invocator, Raunchy) and features and includes a cover version of Kent's hit single "Music Non Stop." Artwork duties were handled by Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Arch Enemy).

Danish modern thrash metallers Mnemic are the latest act confirmed for the Aalborg Metal Festival 2004, a two-day event set to take place November 5-6 at Studenterhuset in Aalborg, Denmark. Also scheduled to perform at the festival are 1349, Withering Surface, The Defaced, Illdisposed, Scarve, Heaven Shall Burn, Zyklon, Darkane and Downset, among others.

Mnemic are touring in support of their sophomore album, "The Audio Injected Soul", available now on Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to last year's "Mechanical Spin Phenomena" was recorded at AntFarm Studios in Aarhus, Denmark with producer Tue Madsen.

Swedish thrashers Darkane have posted the following message on their web site:

Darkane are pleased to announce they have been confirmed to play the infamous Aalborg Metal Festival in Aalborg, DK this year. The festival, which will take place on November 6, will also feature Scarve, Zyklon, Illdisposed and The Defaced among others.

In studio news, the whole band has been spending their time in the studio the past weekend, working on the bass and drum sound. The whole band, except for Klas, who is still in India on an intership. He is expected to be joining the rest of the band in the studio as soon as he returns home next week.

The actual recording process is scheduled to start Tuesday but the band have been working in the studio the last couple of days to start all the preparations. Also, Peter is being extremely careful with his wrists which also takes its time.

According to Peter himself though, the bass drum sound is already incredible (of course!) =) and his wrists are in very good condition.

Zyklon is currently working on new album material, with a few new titles revealed: "Vulture," "Vile Ritual," "Scum," and "The Four Corners." The band has re-signed with Candlelight Records for their third album.

Zyklon is also currently working on a new music video for the track "Core Solution," and there's still talk about a full-length live DVD. There will for sure be a few live tracks on the upcoming Inferno Festival DVD.

The track "Core Solution" was also just recently used in a trailer for an upcoming independent zombie movie. Check out www.rabidogfilms.com

Philadelphia: Candlelight Records today confirms October 19 and November 2 as the reissue dates for Emperor's four genre-defining albums. Wrath of the Tyrants, In the Nightside Eclipse, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, and IX Equilibrum, all currently out of print in the US, have been reworked with additional bonus footage and material unavailable on both European and US-licensed versions.

In documentary style, each of the four recordings have been enhanced with live and studio footage. "Wrath of the Tyrant," being part one, "includes very rare, exclusive footage of pre-Nightside rehearsals plus live outtakes from our first tour (in support of Cradle of Filth, 1993)," says guitarist Samoth. "In the Nightside Eclipse," part two, "includes edited material from a live show in Oslo for the song "Towards the Pantheon," as well as various other clips from live recordings in 1997."

"Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, starts off with a band interview on Finnish TV talking about Anthems and then various live clips from 1997-98, including cool clips from the Dynamo Festival," continues Samoth. "Part four, IX Equilibrium, starts off with a clip from the No Mercy Festival tour and then follows us to the US for our first and only headline American tour in 1999." IX Equilibrium concludes the four-part enhancement series with a clip from the Mystic Festival in Poland, the final Emperor performance. More...

ZYKLON's Samoth (guitar) and Trym (drums), both formerly of EMPEROR, recently participated in a WINDIR tribute along with Cosmocrator (MINDGRINDER) and Invictus (DISIPLIN). They recorded a "brutal" cover version of a WINDIR track in honor of late WINDIR singer Valfar. It will be released on a WINDIR tribute album this fall.

In other news, ZYKLON are now planning a new video for one of the tracks on "Aeon". There will also be an Inferno Festival DVD, which will include several ZYKLON live tracks. More information will follow soon.

ZYKLON have been confirmed for this year's Hole in the Sky Festival in Bergen, Norway. ZYKLON will be playing alongside such bands as VADER, KREATOR, DANZIG, SUSPERIA and 1349. In addition, Samoth will be participating in a special BATHORY all-star tribute band in honor of Quorthon. For more details, go to www.holeinthesky.no.

A number of well-respected Norwegian black metal musicians will gather to perform a selection of classic BATHORY songs during Norway's Hole In The Sky Festival as a tribute to the group's mastermind Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg, who passed away earlier this month. So far, the following musicians have been confirmed to take part in this special performance (in alphabetical order):

The Hole in the Sky organizers have "the utmost respect for all the musicians lending their valuable time to make this a memorable event in the memory of Quorthon and his work of brilliance," according to an official press release. A portion of the profits from the festival — which is scheduled to be held August 25-28, 2004 at three different venues in Bergen, Norway — will be donated to Black Mark Records, the label owned by Quorthon's father, Börje Forsberg.

Commented Samoth: "Needless to say, Quorthon and his mighty BATHORY had a huge impact on me as a musician and definitely sparked my fascination for black metal in the early days. It was sad to hear of his early death. Quorthon was already a legend for years, and left behind an epic testimony blood, fire and death! May he rule among the gods of Valhalla!"

ZYKLON's video for the track "Psyklon Aeon" has recently been serviced to regional as well as key national outlets — including MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball". Guitarist Samoth says: "This is the first official video for ZYKLON. It's exciting for us to finally get it broadcasted in the U.S., especially now with the "Headbanger's Ball" being back in business. The video features live clips from various shows last summer and from numerous locations in the Norwegian wilderness."

ZYKLON, featuring former members of EMPEROR, recently completed a three-week European tour with ARCH ENEMY. Samoth says of the tour: "Except for a few set backs, the tour went very well for us. It was great to be back out touring in Europe. Highlights were definitely Italy, Spain and France, with good turnouts and really enthusiastic crowds."

In other related news, Candlelight Records will be issuing "Into the Woods of Belial" from THOU SHALT SUFFER. The album, previously unavailable in the U.S., features Samoth and EMPEROR vocalist Ihsahn. "I've been thinking of re-issuing this album for quite some time, especially considering it was never properly available in the U.S.," says Samoth, whose Nocturnal Art Productions originally released the album. "I think to this day the album offers strong and classic material. It is definitely a piece of Norwegian metal history; dark, obscure death metal that spawned the creation of EMPEROR."

Later this year, Candlelight will reissue the entire EMPEROR catalog, until recently available via license to Century Media Records. Enhancements and additions are expected (specifics not available at press time). THOU SHALT SUFFER's "Into the Woods of Belial" will hit stores nationwide on May 18.

Norwegian Black metallers DIMMU BORGIR have reportedly cancelled all of their Australian/Japanese dates that were scheduled to take place in early February. Although no official reason was given for the cancellation, it is believed that problems with the Japanese portion of the trek led to the decision to call off both tours. This is the second time Dimmu Borgir have cancelled an Australian tour, having previously axed what would have been their first-ever trip Down Under back in 1999. DARK FUNERAL will cover up for them, co- headlining with ZYKLON.

Candlelight Records confirms Zyklon as support for Arch Enemy on their upcoming European tour. The dates, scheduled to begin February 17 in Cologne, Germany marks the band's first European tour in support of their current album, Aeon, and will follow their first trip to Japan as headliners for the nineth Extreme the Dojo festival.

Zyklon guitarist Samoth says, "Needless to say we are very excited about Japan. We never even got to go there with Emperor so this is definitely a big highlight for us. And after several attempts we have finally finally confirmed a full European tour, and it's a good one too. Stampin' Ground will also be on the bill with us and Arch Enemy, so it should make a strong package, covering several aspects of metal.

Norway's Zyklon, the band featuring Zamoth (a.k.a. Samoth) and Trym of Emperor, have cancelled their previously announced Mexican tour.

The following is Samoth's official statement on the matter:

"We were supposed to leave for Mexico today for a 3-show headline tour. The UK agent who dealt with this particular tour called us up at rehearsal on Monday saying it's not gonna happen, because the Mexican promoter Carlo Hernandez have failed to buy the plane tickets in time, and now refuses to buy any because they apparently are too expensive all of a sudden. I must say we are very disappointed and surprised in the lack of professionalism. It's not only unfortunate for us as we have turned down other interesting offers to do this tour, but most of all for all the die-hard Mexican fans who wanted to see us. All we can say is that this situation is totally beyond our control. We don't really wanna put any blame on anybody, but it just sucks that we have to deal with such incompetence. We hope we get another opportunity to come back to Mexico. A mighty hail to all the Mexican Metal brothers for supporting us!"